What is the matter with the dog's sour smell?

When you habitually lean over to hug your dog, you are startled by a pungent sour smell and take a step back. Looking at the dog's innocent wagging tail, a heart full of doubts and worries suddenly surged into my heart. This sudden sour smell is like a silent alarm, suggesting that the dog's health may be in danger. To find out the truth, we need to look for clues from every corner of the dog's body like a detective. ​

The dog's mouth is the most easily overlooked part that is prone to sour smell. If the owner observes carefully, he will find that there is a layer of brown-yellow tartar attached to the surface of the dog's teeth, and the edge of the gums also presents an unhealthy dark red. This is because the oral hygiene has not been paid attention to for a long time, and food residues ferment in the mouth, breeding a large number of bacteria. These bacteria not only decompose food to produce sour smell, but also cause periodontitis, gingivitis and other diseases. Imagine that every time a dog licks its hair, these bacteria-containing saliva will adhere to the hair, further aggravating the sour smell. When a dog refuses to eat because of toothache and becomes listless from its lively state, the sour smell seems to be telling of its pain. ​

Skin problems are also one of the "culprits" that cause dogs to emit sour smells. Dogs' skin is sensitive and fragile. A humid environment, parasite infestation or allergic reactions may put their skin in danger. When a dog scratches its body frequently or even rubs against the ground, the owner may find that its skin is red, swollen, hair loss and dandruff increase. Fungi and bacteria multiply on the surface of damaged skin, producing unpleasant sour secretions. Especially in the hot summer, the dog's sweat and sebum are mixed, and the sour smell will be stronger due to the action of bacteria. Seeing the dog getting restless because of itching and constantly biting its skin, the owner's heart will also be pulled. ​

Anal gland problems are often ignored by the owner, but they are closely related to sour smells. There is an anal gland on each side of the dog's anus. When they defecate, the anal glands secrete a liquid with a special smell to help mark the territory. But if the anal glands are blocked and the secretions cannot be discharged normally, they will accumulate and deteriorate in the glands, emitting a disgusting sour smell. At this time, the dog will lick its anus frequently, and even drag its butt on the ground. The sour smell is pungent and stubborn, as if reminding the owner that there is something wrong with his body and he needs help. ​

Gastrointestinal problems may also turn dogs into "walking sour smell sources". When dogs eat spoiled food, overeat, or are infected with parasites or suffer from gastroenteritis, their gastrointestinal function will be affected, and the food cannot be digested and absorbed normally, and fermentation in the intestines will produce sour and smelly gases. These gases are discharged from the body through burping and farting, making the dog's body full of sour smell. The dog may experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, and the originally bright eyes become dull and weak, lying on the ground. Seeing it suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort, the owner is not only distressed, but also more eager to find a solution to the problem. ​

Faced with the sour smell on the dog, the owner's first reaction is often to give it a bath. But it should be noted that if the sour smell is caused by a disease, simply bathing cannot fundamentally solve the problem. We should take the dog to the pet hospital for a comprehensive examination in time and cooperate with the veterinarian for treatment. In daily life, the owner should develop a good habit of regularly cleaning the dog's mouth, combing the hair, and checking the skin, arrange the diet reasonably, avoid the dog from eating spoiled or indigestible food, and deworm the dog regularly. Only in this way can the dog stay away from the trouble of sour smell, regain a healthy and refreshing body, and continue to accompany us to spend a good time. ​

Behind every sour smell is the dog's silent distress signal. As their closest companions, we must observe carefully, discover problems in time, and use professional knowledge and full love to protect the dog's health. Because for us, dogs are not only pets, but also an indispensable member of the family. They give us unconditional trust and companionship, and we should also respond to their dependence with the same love and responsibility.